8th Anniversary Barrel Aged Imperial Stout
Bainbridge Brewing Company

Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark mahogany brown, appearing nearly opaque black in the glass with a thin khaki head that dissipates to patches with light lacing. Aroma of dark toasted malt, cocoa, smoke and a little dark dried fruit. Flavor is dark toasted malt, dark chocolate, light caramel, peaty smoke and a touch of coffee. Slightly sweeter in the chocolatey and peaty finish. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess. The malt body is somewhat more like a porter than a stout, but is still substantial. The peat smoke is very nicely integrated into the chocolate flavors and the unexpected light sweetness in the finish seemed to tie everything together; this wouldn't have been as good if it was dry, I think. Somewhat multilayered and interesting flavor progression. I really like this one. Bainbridge's early BA stouts were a bit uneven, but this shows they've mastered this style. I didn't expect the smoked malt, which I really enjoy, so this was a real treat. Going to look for another one.